Every day there seems to be more good news with McCarthy. It is going to be a process, but hopefully we are nearing the end of the danger zone. Given how nasty the injury looked when it happened, this has to be a monumental step for him and his progress.

A's trainer Nick Paparesta detailed numerous other encouraging developments about McCarthy's condition Saturday, including the fact that McCarthy was much more verbal and had peppered his neurosurgeon with questions during the day.

Any positive developments are reasons to celebrate, while remaining cautious. Still, it is good to hear that McCarthy is making strides just a few days after the horrific incident.

After undergoing surgery on his skull and brain to repair the damage done by a line drive, Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy was back on Twitter Saturday morning showing his sense of humor.

McCarthy’s official Twitter account read the following Arrested Development reference at 3:45 a.m. ET Saturday, a great sign that he was thinking clearly enough to make a joke:

"Crazy about this children's tylenol, can't believe they give it to kids."

The concern over whether the young man would make it out of this ordeal alive was very real, and he is not out of the woods yet. With that said, the improvements he is making are a great sign of a steady recovery.

McCarthy's injury is a reminder of how dangerous it can be as a starting pitcher in the major leagues. We've seen this before, where a pitcher doesn't have time to react to a screaming line drive. It's a gruesome sight and something nobody wants to see.

McCarthy gave up three runs in 3.2 innings on Wednesday before Erick Aybar's line drive struck him in the head in the fourth inning.

The 29-year-old is 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA and 1.25 WHIP this season in 18 starts. He is part of the reason they currently hold a wild-card spot in the American League despite losing starters Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill in the offseason.

McCarthy also played well for the A's last season, posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 25 starts. He's undoubtedly a big part of their rotation as they vie for the playoffs this season.

McCarthy turned his career around with the A's after struggling with the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers in his first five seasons in the league. He wasn't even pitching in the majors two seasons ago after enduring several injuries.